The principles of equality and non-discrimination are part of the foundations of the rule of law. Our work takes a rights-based approach to focusing on those who are most marginalised, excluded or discriminated against to help realise the full potential of rights.
Explore research activities in the Human Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination theme. Names shown indicate authors or co-authors involved from the Centre for Mental Health Practice, Policy and Law Research.
The Scottish Mental Health Law Review (2019-2022) was an independent review, commissioned by the Scottish Government, of Scottish mental health, capacity and adult protection (safeguarding) law with the objective of making recommendations to improve the rights and protections of persons with a mental disorder and remove barriers to those caring for their health and welfare.
The Review reported in September 2022 and made over 200 recommendations for reforms to the law (the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000). The recommendations centred around three main themes:
- Strengthening the voice of people who use services and those who care for them.
- Reducing the need for coercion in the mental health system
- Securing rights to the help and support needed to live a good life.
Prof Jill Stavert and Prof Colin McKay are professors of Mental Health and Capacity Law and were members of the Review’s Executive Team. Prof Stavert is lead for the Centre for Mental Health Practice, Policy and Law Research.
The aim of the project was to
investigate accounts of nurses/healers and midwives accused and persecuted as
'witches' through documentary analysis of the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft (SSW).
Through this project, the intended outcome was to gain better understanding of
an under-researched area in the history of early nursing and midwifery and
identify any 'witches' practice(s) that resonate with professional nursing or
midwifery practice today.
This work supported the
‘Witches of Scotland’ campaign for a posthumous pardon for Scotland's witches
led by Claire Mitchell QC as this study highlights the stories of early nurses
and midwives persecuted and tortured for helping others. An apology was issued
on International Women’s Day in March 2022.
The
relation of this project to the theme is the ‘othering’ and sometimes labelling
women by using allegations to discredit them, amongst other things.
This project was led by Nicola Ring, Professor of Nursing in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University. She is a highly experienced researcher with a focus on the management of long-term conditions and the synthesis of qualitative evidence. Her specialist teaching subjects are research, evidence-based practice, and nursing history.
The project is part of a working group
sharing ideas about populating and developing an accessible cancer screening
website for people with intellectual disability and people from black and
ethnic groups.
This will project also incorporated the 3rd symposium for
cancer and cancer screening in intellectual disabilities. This symposium was
hosted by Edinburgh Napier University in collaboration with colleagues in NHS
Lothian Screening and Early Detection team, Public Health and Health Policy and
the East Learning Disability Managed Care Network, and Family Advice and
Information Resource. With support by international partners in France, The
Netherlands, Norway and The United States of America
This project supported upholding good practice in cancer care, and ultimately supporting the rights and enhancing the care and experience of people with intellectual disabilities and those who support
them, a
The initiative was led by Dr Diane Willis, a lecturer whose primary research
interest lies in the field of intellectual disability especially inequalities
in cancer care, bereavement and women’s issues.
The Centre was commissioned by the Scottish COVID-19 Public Inquiry to produce a series of reports on the Scottish Government’s strategic response to COVID-19 in relation to health and social care between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2022. They focused on the following aspects of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference: “(g) in care and nursing homes: the transfer of residents to or from homes, treatment and care of residents, restrictions on visiting, infection prevention and control, and inspections; (h) the provision of healthcare services and social care support, including the management and support of staff and the recognition, involvement and support of unpaid carers (i) the delivery of end-of-life care and the use of DNACPR (do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions)”. The research reviewed academic and grey literature, media reports, Parliamentary statements and debates and legislation, and analysed the strategic response of the Government using a human-rights based approach.
Centre members involved in research for and writing the reports were Prof Colin McKay, Prof Jill Stavert, Prof Elizabeth McKay, Dr Jennifer Murray, and Amy Zarins.